Posts by Ralph Patrick

“Yet the Lord pleads with you still: Ask where the good road is, the godly paths you used to walk in, the days of long ago.  Travel there and you will find rest for your souls.”  The Prophet Jeremiah “We don’t control life, we just do it.” Isla Grace Schelle, age 5 On the return…

“Who are my mother and my brothers? Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother.”  Mark 3:33,36 “That’s called making memories”  Jean Patrick Who are you close to?  Who do you consider a kindred spirit, a bosom buddy, the closest of friends?  What family members do you keep in touch…

“Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous” Do you believe in luck?  A lot of people do, otherwise there wouldn’t be so many casinos!  I don’t believe in luck.  But I do believe in Divine Coincidence.  Or Guided Serendipity.  God working behind the scenes in seemingly ironic ways that result in inexplicable life occasions. It’s…

Definition: “The phenomenon whereby a minute localized change in a complex system can have large effects elsewhere.”   “If you have the faith of a mustard seed you can say to this mountain ‘move’, and it will move.”  Jesus It’s the little things in life that make the biggest difference.  It’s the small things, the…

“I can see people, but they look like trees walking.” Mark 8:24 “Love can be hidden. We don’t see it unless we learn how to clean the lens.” Richard Rohr Yesterday I was walking to have breakfast at IHOP (International House Of Pancakes) while I waited for my car to be repaired.  On the way…

“Your love is better than wine . . . My beloved is mine and I am His.” Song of Solomon “In every person lies a zone of solitude that no human intimacy can fill: and there God encounters us.”  Brother Roger of Taize Are you in love with God? I remember once a person who…

(Luke 10:25-37) “And who is my neighbor?”  The lawyer’s question in Luke 10 “The longest and most difficult journey we’ll ever take is the distance between our head and our heart.” I know, I’m supposed to be writing about the next obstacle to contemplation.  That’s what was on my mind.  But God put something else…

Number One: The Illusion of a Distant God “You were within me, and I was outside of myself.” “God is not far from any of us.” St. Paul How did you do with your contemplative practice this week?  Did you designate a “closet” in which to go and have sweet, silent, sacred contemplative communion with…

“Be Still and know that I Am God.”  Psalm 46 “The only language God hears is the silent language of love.” St. John of the Cross “The sound of silence.”  Simon and Garfunkel What is the value of silence for you? When was the last time you experienced silence?  Deliberately. What role does silence play…

“Behold I Am with you always.”  Jesus the Christ “Contemplation is a knowledge of God that is impregnated with love.” St. Gregory the Great How would you describe contemplation?  It’s not a word we encounter often, is it?  It’s certainly an idea foreign to much of modern-day Christian culture, and perhaps it’s not a concept…